One of the biggest storylines from Sunday’s game was the Rams’ lack of discipline. They were flagged seven times for 102 yards, costing themselves valuable yardage on both offense and defense.

One of the biggest calls of the game came in the third quarter when Trumaine Johnson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after an incompletion to Alshon Jeffery. It was a great play by Johnson, but he briefly stood over Jeffery and appeared to exchange words with the receiver.

The play cost the Rams 15 yards on a crucial third-and-9 from the 33-yard line, meaning the Eagles would have had to attempt a 50-yard field goal if not for the penalty.

Nickell Robey-Coleman came to Johnson’s defense after the game to say he wasn’t even talking trash to Jeffery.

Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, on Trumaine Johnson's penalty: "They weren't even talking trash; they were just talking football and they threw the flag."

That was undoubtedly one of the biggest moments of the game because of the way it shifted the balance. Eight plays and two penalties later, the Eagles scored a touchdown to take a 31-28 lead.

Even Jeffery said after the game that there wasn’t any extra trash talking going on between him and Johnson.

“No, I mean we know each other,” he said. “I mean when he makes a play, he’s going to make some noise. When I make a play, I’m going to make some noise, so it is what it is.”

Fair or not, the Rams cost themselves multiple times with unnecessary penalties. Samson Ebukam was flagged 15 yards for a late hit, which was far worse than Johnson’s infraction. They simply need to be more disciplined despite the fact that Johnson should have never been penalized.

As for Sean McVay’s take on the flag, he says the officials told him Jeffery and Johnson had been going back and forth throughout the game.

“They said that these guys had been talking, going back and forth and there had been some warnings going on and that was the decision that the side judge made and those are things that we have to respect,” he said after the loss.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Rams Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.